'I've Never Seen This': Massive Collapse in Support for AI Data Centers Captured in New Poll

Key Points:

• A recent poll by Embold Research and Heatmap Pro reveals a dramatic decline in American support for building AI data centers, with 75% now opposing their construction in local areas, including 61% expressing strong opposition.
• Support for AI data centers dropped sharply from 43% approval and 42% opposition just one year ago to a significant majority opposing them across all demographics, including Republicans, Democrats, and independents.
• The decline in support is unprecedented in speed and scale, with experts and pollsters expressing surprise at how quickly public opinion has shifted against AI data centers.
• Concerns contributing to opposition include nondisclosure agreements forced on local officials, fears of job displacement predicted by tech CEOs, increased utility costs, pollution, and controversial industry practices such as surveillance and arrests at public meetings.
• Despite President Donald Trump promoting AI data centers as job creators, critics highlight that these facilities employ very few people once operational, intensifying skepticism about their local benefits.